That’s the message from state member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter as Treasurer Tim Nicholls says a new economic report showed Queensland was well positioned for strong growth in the future.

Mr Katter said the North West was a prime example of where significant opportunities were for the government but they were continually missing the mark.  

He said the region was in desperate need of some industry building outside of the gas industry which is very one dimensional. 

Mr Katter said there were few positive effects outside of the gas industry, and if anything, was highly damaging to existing industry.  

“The government has not committed to any significant infrastructure outside of the South East corner or the coastline where most of the industry potential resides inland,” he said.

But Mr Nicholls said the report supported forecasts made in this year’s state budget. 

“Deloitte’s growth forecast is broadly in line with Treasury’s forecast of three per cent this financial year increasing to six per cent growth in 2015-16 when major gas projects come online,” he said. 

“This year Queensland is expected to be the strongest growing state economy in the country.”

Mr Katter admitted there would be “a sugar hit in the economy” off the back of the construction phase of the gas industry. 

“The problem resides in the underutilisation and unemployment figures that can’t hide the challenges in the economy,” he said.

He pointed to the Royalties for the Regions funding program as the key, if handled effectively, could deliver real growth in terms of both GSP and employment.  

“Upgrade our rail lines, transmission lines, water supply and roads and jobs and growth will follow.  Instead we have heard of commitments to a new office building for the government in Brisbane and a new $5b traffic tunnel,” Mr Katter said.